Collaborative Efforts in the Northern Gulf Region

The Northern Gulf Institute programs closely align with the efforts of several critical programs in the region, profiled here. By working together with
these programs, the regional impact builds exponentially. The collaborative efforts have already realized great success in accomplishing most of the actions
from the Governors' Action Plan I. Many of the action in Plan II are underway, with the help of numerous NGI supported research and education staff. These
Gulf regional organizations are represented on the NGI Advisory Council, sponsor or participate on NGI projects, and collaborate on conference, workshop and
outreach activities.

Gulf of Mexico Alliance

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a partnership, initiated in 2004 by the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, intent on
significantly increasing regional collaboration to enhance the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico. The Alliance has identified six priority
issues that are regionally significant and can be effectively addressed through increased collaboration at the local, state, and federal levels. These
priorities represent an initial focus for action through the Alliance: (1) Water quality; (2) Habitat conservation and restoration; (3) Ecosystems Integration
and Assessment; (4) Nutrients and nutrient impacts; (5) Coastal community resilience; and (6) Environmental education.

EPA Gulf of Mexico Program

The EPA Gulf of Mexico Program was initiated in 1988 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a non-regulatory program. Founded on the threefold
principles of partnership, science-based information, and citizen involvement, the Gulf Program joined the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay Programs as
flagships of the nation's efforts to apply an adaptive management approach to large coastal freshwater and marine ecosystems. The mission of the Program is to
facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic
well-being of the Region.

Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi/Alabama Sea Grant

Environmental stewardship, long-term economic development and responsible use of America's coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources are at the heart of Sea
Grant's mission. Florida Sea Grant's mission is to support integrated research, education, communication and extension to enhance the conservation of coastal
and marine resources. Since 1968, Louisiana Sea Grant has worked to promote stewardship of the state's coastal resources through a combination of research,
education and outreach programs critical to the cultural, economic and environmental health of Louisiana's coastal zone. The mission of
Mississippi/Alabama Sea Grant is to enhance the sustainable use and conservation of ocean and coastal resources to benefit the economy and environment in
Alabama and Mississippi.

NOAA Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team

The NOAA Regional Collaboration Team enhance the ability of all NOAA agencies within a region to work together, including addressing unique regional
problems that require NOAA's expertise. The Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team focuses on the following: engaging partners and customers,
identifying near-term activities, coordinating and integrating capabilities, and obtaining regional stakeholder input. The Team supports NOAA's role in the
Gulf of Mexico Alliance and leads the effort for a Gulf of Mexico Integrated Ecosystem Assessment in coordination with the NOAA Integrated Ecosystem
Assessment Priority Area Task Team.